David Paynes, 11, who sings with St Robert's Church Choir in Pannal, will compete against three other vocalists in his bid to be crowned BBC Radio 2's Choirboy of the Year.

The final takes place at St Paul's Cathedral on October 31, where David will sing in front of a panel of judges and a large audience.

It will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday, November 2, at 8pm.

David qualified for the final by sending recordings of a hymn and an anthem – Praise My Soul the King of Heaven and All Things Bright and Beautiful – to the competition judges, who whittled hundreds of entries down to four.

He said: "I couldn't believe it, really, when I found out I'd made the final.

"They rang before I got home from school and so my mum told me.

"I just sat down in a chair, amazed."

Now he's looking forward to the final, where he will sing For the Fruits of His Creation and An Irish Blessing.

"I'm very excited about going to London at half-term for the competition and having the experience of singing in such a wonderful building," David said.

"I know I'm the youngest of the four boys to get through to the final this year but I'll do my best, and if I win that will be an added bonus."

David, who lives at Westminster Drive, Burn Bridge, previously attended Pannal School and now goes to St Aidan's, where he is a member of the new boys' choir.

He also sings with a third vocal group, local youth choir Verse and Chorus.

David has performed in several Harrogate Theatre productions, including Annie Get Your Gun, The Wizard of Oz and The King and I, and recently achieved his Grade 4 singing, with distinction.

In November, he will appear in Oliver! at Leeds Grand Theatre, but he admits that he still gets nervous performing in front of a big crowd.

"I'm nervous and excited about the final," he said.

As well as choral music and show tunes, David enjoys listening to McFly and Coldplay.

l David will sing at a free concert held by St Robert's Church, Pannal and Verse and Chorus on Sunday, October 12 at 7pm.